WHO’S AFRAID OF BIG, BAD BABYLON? (REVELATION 18:1-10)
One of the longest-running daytime TV show in USA is “Judge Judy,” who presided over real-life small-claims disputes within a simulated courtroom set. Prior to the proceedings, all involved parties signed arbitration contracts agreeing to Judge Judy’s ruling. The series also won three Emmy Awards.
When Judge Judy made her entrance, the courtroom audience was brought to order and instructed to rise. The judge typically began each case by summarizing the disputed matters brought before her. This was followed by preliminary questioning of the parties as to dates, times, locations, and other facts. During the proceedings, the feisty judge coerced the parties to adhere to her strict management: participants were not allowed to tuck hands in pockets, drink water (unless they ask first), fold arms, chew gum, dress revealingly or casually, speak out of turn, hesitate in answering questions.
As is standard practice in small claims court, Judge Judy proceedings operated in the form of a bench trial, where litigants had to represent themselves without jury or lawyers. After expressing her views of the circumstances and behaviors of the litigants with regards to their testimonies, Judge Judy would render her judgment and end with a closing exclamation, such as "That's all," "We're done," or "Goodbye!". https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judge_Judy
The noun “judgment” (Rev 17:1) debuts in the last chapter with the judgment of the prostitute, or great whore (17:1 KJV) – the religious representative, followed by Babylon in this chapter (Rev 18:2) – the economic figurehead. Whether viewed as a revived city, a royal rule or a regional powerhouse, Babylon is a cruel, consolidated and carnal regime that will imperil and indulge God's people in idolatry, harlotry and zealotry against God’s people. Babylon could be in the form of a place, person or a power, but definitely not a policy, paradigm or philosophy.
What will take place at the end times? What are the signs? Do you feel helpless or hopeful? What must we do to avoid the free fall and its full force?
News To the Impostor: Flee the Fury
1 After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven. He had great authority, and the earth was illuminated by his splendor. 2 With a mighty voice he shouted: “ ‘Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great!’ She has become a dwelling for demons and a haunt for every impure spirit, a haunt for every unclean bird, a haunt for every unclean and detestable animal. 3 For all the nations have drunk the maddening wine of her adulteries. The kings of the earth committed adultery with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her excessive luxuries.” 4 Then I heard another voice from heaven say: “ ‘Come out of her, my people,’ so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues; 5 for her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. 6 Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Pour her a double portion from her own cup. 7 Give her as much torment and grief as the glory and luxury she gave herself. In her heart she boasts, ‘I sit enthroned as queen. I am not a widow; I will never mourn.’ (Rev 18:1-7)
Today we talk about plagues (vv 4, 8), pandemics and pestilence.
SARS-CoV-2 has officially claimed 5 million lives, but credible estimates place the pandemic's true death toll closer to 17 million. It has been a nightmare for most families with older parents. My 87-year old mother did not fare much better because she had dementia and was paralyzed by Covid in November 2023. Previously, she could walk with the help of her maid. She was fitted with gloves to prevent her from scratching her itches until her body was bleeding. I went home to visit her before the Chinese New Year and at the end of March.
The first time, she could not distinguish me from my brother and me. I asked her, “Am I the older or younger brother?” She got it wrong. “Older,” she said. The second time, she could only talk in the morning after her breakfast. Visitations after lunch and dinner were not good for her. She was soundly asleep.
There is no greater and more “cry” in the Bible than the fall of Babylon, occurring four times in the episode (Rev 18:2, 18, 19, 19:17). “Fallen, fallen” means completely, comprehensively and convincingly routed, ruined, and ripped. Why? There no godliness in Babylon, neither is there goodness in her or grace for her, but grief and gore.
Babylon is not merely a place of evil, but evils (v 1, plural), unclean and hateful. Unclean is to be dirty in form, and hateful is to be detestable in feeling. Babylon will be at an unbearable, unlivable and unmerciful place, a place of wickedness, wretchedness and woe, where people are insufferable, irredeemable and inconsolable being at the mercy of God’s wrath in KJV (v 3). Plagues (v 4, plege) are mentioned 22 times in the Bible, with 16 of it found in Revelation, and twice in this chapter (vv 4, 8).
The verb “come out” (v 4, ex-erchomai) is an imperative – the imperatives in the chapter are for God’s people (vv 7, 20) –including those who are true or those who are trapped. The verb has a prefix “ex-“ or “out” (ex-boss), meaning not to become her associate, assistant or ally The greater purpose is not to share (hina subjunctive) in her sins and plagues (v 4). Share (sug-koinoneo), translated as fellowship (Eph 5:11), communicate (Phil 4:14) and partakers (Rev 18:4), is derived from koinonia with the “sun” or “joint” word added. It means not to be entangled, entwined, enmeshed, engaged or ensnared in the sin and suffering. Both “sins” and “plagues” are plural.
The next four imperatives in verse 6-7 are an “interchange” - the first imperative “give back” (apodidomi) and the last “give” (v 7) share the same verb “didomi.” The middle second and third (“pay her back double” … “Pour her a double”) share the numbers “double” in the verb and noun form, or “double her double” in Greek. It is to return, reverse, repeat, repay and revisit the consequences.
Nudge To the Invested: Fear the Fire
8 Therefore in one day her plagues will overtake her: death, mourning and famine. She will be consumed by fire, for mighty is the Lord God who judges her. 9 “When the kings of the earth who committed adultery with her and shared her luxury see the smoke of her burning, they will weep and mourn over her. 10 Terrified at her torment, they will stand far off and cry: “ ‘Woe! Woe to you, great city, you mighty city of Babylon! In one hour your doom has come!’ 11 "The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more— 12 cargoes of gold, silver, precious stones and pearls; fine linen, purple, silk and scarlet cloth; every sort of citron wood, and articles of every kind made of ivory, costly wood, bronze, iron and marble; 13 cargoes of cinnamon and spice, of incense, myrrh and frankincense, of wine and olive oil, of fine flour and wheat; cattle and sheep; horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men. 14 "They will say, 'The fruit you longed for is gone from you. All your riches and splendor have vanished, never to be recovered.' 15 The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment. They will weep and mourn 16 and cry out: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, dressed in fine linen, purple and scarlet, and glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls! 17 In one hour such great wealth has been brought to ruin!' "Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off. 18 When they see the smoke of her burning, they will exclaim, 'Was there ever a city like this great city?' 19 They will throw dust on their heads, and with weeping and mourning cry out: "'Woe! Woe, O great city, where all who had ships on the sea became rich through her wealth! In one hour she has been brought to ruin! (Rev 18:8-19)
Into the last week of 2024 we are reminded of the danger and devastation of fire. First, on Saturday, a hill fire in Yuen Long erupted in the afternoon and raged over a 200-meter stretch near Tai Tong. The fire spread rapidly, fanned by winds, and almost reached nearby residential houses. Online footage and videos showed flames spreading from the hillside to the peak, with heavy smoke billowing. It was finally put out the next day- more than 24 hours after it.
Then on Sunday, the Jeju plane crash that killed 179 of the 181 passengers on board in Korea. The inbound plane from Bangkok landed without its front landing gear deployed, overshot the runway, slammed into a concrete fence and burst into a fireball. The fire agency deployed 32 fire trucks and several helicopters to combat the blaze of the Boeing 737-800 flight. The director of the South Korea's Aviation Policy Division said, “The plane was "completely destroyed by fire.”
https://www.thestandard.com.hk/section-news/section/11/268977/Deadliest-crash-ever-in-S-Korea
The last was afforded the least coverage, but a fire on the fifth floor of a six-storey hotel near to Bangkok's popular backpacker district killed three tourists - a Brazilian, an American and a Thai and injured seven others, including two Thai nationals and five foreigners. One woman died at the scene and two other men were pronounced dead at the hospital. The Bangkok governor said, “Authorities reacted quickly and the fire alarm sounded, but the smoke was fast." https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-30/bangkok-ember-hotel-fire-kills-foreigners-thailand-authorities/104772452
V9, The kings of the earth V 11, The merchants of the earth V 18, Every sea captain, passenger, the sailors, staff
Weep and mourn (kopto) Weep and mourn (pentheo) Weeping and mourning (pentheo)
The noun fire (v 8) occurs 25 times in Revelation, more than one third of its 74 times in the Bible. Most translations politely say “by fire” or “with fire,” but in Greek it is “in fire.” There is no escape, error, endurance, evading, equivalence or end to God’s judgment. The greatest fire from God is undoubtedly reserved for those with the thickest skin. It will not just be a fire, but an inferno, an ignition and an incineration. It will be so hot that all will be razed, rubble and residue.
The allying kings of the earth will weep (v 9) and mourn over Babylon, or bewail her, and lament for her (KJV). Weep occurs four times in the chapter (vv 9, 11, 15, 19), the most in a chapter in the Bible. Weep is loud cry, but mourn (v 9, kopto) in Greek is cut down, to beat the breast in grief. It means defeated, desolated, disbelief, downcast and dread. The second “mourn” (v 11, 15, 19 pentheo) is the tears - for sorrow, sadness and suffering, especially from the merchants (v 11).
This burning (v 8, katakaio) is not the just burn, but to be burnt up (Rev 8:7) and utterly burned (Rev 18:8), burn down (to the ground), i.e. consume wholly – to be scorched, seared and swept because of the prefix “kata” added. In the second coming God’s instrument is no longer to drown the earth with water, but to devastate with fire. One can still escape in drowning and submerging water, but not in devastating and surrounding fire.
Woe 6x That great city 4x For (that) in one hour Stand far for (because) fear…torment
v 10
Woe! Woe, O great city
v 16
Woe! Woe, O great city
v 19Woe! Woe, O great city
V 10 doom/judgment is come
V 17 brought to ruin!'
V 18 who is like (her)
V 19 she has been brought to ruin!
V 10 … is thy judgment come
V 17 … so great riches is come to nought
V 19 … is she made desolate V 10 kings
V 15 merchants
V 18
"Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea
V 7 Give her as much “torture” and grief
V 10 “Terrified” at her “torment,” they will stand far off and cry:
15 The merchants …will stand far off, “terrified” at her torment
Bad news to Babylon:
1. Woe occurs six times (vv 10, 16, 19 twice each). It means wretchedness, wasted and worthless.
2. The words of the kings and merchants – “great” in each of the four line sof declaration, the last two declarations end with “ruin”:
v 10 O great city,
v 16 O great city,
v 17 great wealth
v 18 great city
v 19 great city
Rev 18:17 brought to ruin!'
Rev 18:19 brought to ruin!
3. There are three “hoti” (that)”:
- v 10 for in one hour is thy judgment come
- v 17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought
- v 19 for in one hour is she made desolate
4. The clause “stand far off” occurs an impressive three times (vv 10, 15, 17). v – v 10 the kings of the earth …will stand far off
- v 15 the merchants …will stand far off, terrified at her torment.
- v 17 Every sea captain, and all who travel by ship, the sailors, and all who earn their living from the sea, will stand far off
“Far” is the word makrothen, or to be distant, detached or defensive.
5. Torment occurs three times in the chapter, and only found in the book 6x:
- v 7 Give her as much “torture” and grief
- v 10 Terrified at her “torment,” they will stand far off and cry:
- v 15 The merchants …will stand far off, “terrified” at her torment.
The noun “fear” in the torment (vv 10, 15) occurs more in this chapter than any other chapter in the book – the fear of being involved, implicated and investigated.
6. Sorrow (KJV) occurs three times as grief (Rev 18:7) and mourning (vv 7, 8).
There is more burning (vv 9, 18) in this chapter than any chapter in the Bible. There’s the “fear” of the fire, the flames and the fumes.
Note to the Impenitent: Feel the Fall
20 Rejoice over her, O heaven! Rejoice, saints and apostles and prophets! God has judged her for the way she treated you.'" 21 Then a mighty angel picked up a boulder the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, and said: "With such violence the great city of Babylon will be thrown down, never to be found again. 22 The music of harpists and musicians, flute players and trumpeters, will never be heard in you again. No workman of any trade will ever be found in you again. The sound of a millstone will never be heard in you again. 23 The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. Your merchants were the world's great men. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray. 24 In her was found the blood of prophets and of the saints, and of all who have been killed on the earth."
On the last week of my two months Sabbath break, I reluctantly scheduled a dental cleaning appointment after I realized my gums were swollen on my holiday. The dental lady asked, When was the last time you were here? I said, “Maybe three years ago?” She looked at her chart and said, “Five.” Then I knew I was in trouble.
The lady used a short and stout dental brush and cleaned me up left and right, top to bottom, poking my teeth and gums and dentures and warning me, “If you do not take care of your tenth, it will drop out!” I was gasping and holding on to the seat for my dear life as she professionally put me in my place. Halfway through she said, “Mr. Yip, you are supposed to breathe through your nose, not your mouth!” I had no coordination as I balanced blood flowing, water splashing and mouth gasping.
After the ordeal was over, the hygienist introduced me to the use of interdental brush for $50 a pack. I have been cleaning my tenth more after each meal and flossing at night.
Repentance is long over in chapter 16:9, 11. Rejoice (v 20, euphraino) is an imperative. “Eu” is good, and “phraino” is the mind. It is to put (middle voice or passively, be) in a good frame of mind, i.e. rejoice – to be calm, confident and comforted; literally it is not to lose one’s head or even mind, and figuratively, not to lose heart or hope. It is to be in the right state of mind, to be right in the head, to be sound and sharp in mind, not to slip your mind,
The Greek for the verb “judge” in verse 20 is “judged the judgment,” for the judgment that began in the last chapter (Rev. 17:1). Judge is in the aorist tense, a completed, conclusive and convincing act. It is not half-time, half-way, or hanging, but history.
The verb “throw down/cast” (v 21) occurs 123 times in the Bible, but this is the only time it is qualified by a noun, the noun “violence” is this case. This word “violence” means sudden, speedy and swift in Greek, not soon, shortly or asap. It’s more like, in a second, in a flash, in a blink of an eye, not in a jiffy, in a
The repeated phrase “never found again” is sweeter in Greek - “no never (ou me) found again (eti).” The “no never + again” (ou me + eti) equation is found in verse 22 – voice no never heard again (eti), trade no never found again, workman no never found again, and sound no never heard again, and in verse 23 – light no never shine again and voice of bridegroom and bride no never heard again
The blood of God’s people (v 24) was not mentioned before chapter 16:
- the blood of saints and prophets (Rev 16:6)
- the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus (Rev 17:6)
- the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth
(Rev 18:24)
- the blood of his servants (Rev 19:2)
Conclusion: Rebellion against God is an unwise, unwinnable and unworkable war. Are you ready for the Lord’s coming? Will the Lord praise you or penalize you? Will you be deem worthy or weak? Are you clinging to the devil and His riches? Have you been cleansed by His blood? Do you cry for your sins and cry out to God?
